LEWIS F. McCRORY, a citizen of California, is a representative of one of the prominent families of Allen township. His grandfather John McCrory, was born and reared in Washington county, Penn., there receiving his early education. When a young man he was married to Catherine Speers, a member of a pioneer family of this county, and they settled on a farm in Fallowfield township. Their children were Elizabeth (wife of David McClain), Samuel S., James, Rebecca, John, Plesey, Henry, Jacob, Solomon, Emily (wife of George Lang) and Nathaniel. The father was a Whig in political opinion. Samuel S. McCrory was born in 1809, in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., and attended the subscription schools of that locality. In early manhood he married Nancy, daughter of Samuel Fry, and she bore him the following children: Sarah E. (deceased), Mary K., Lewis F., Christina (deceased), Henry J., Emily and John. Mr. McCrory worked at boat building and kindred occupations during early life, and after his marriage bought a farm, on which he passed the rest of his days. In political opinion he was originally a Whig, afterward a Republican. He died in September, 1853, his widow passing away June 1, 1892.
Lewis F. McCrory was born February 17, 1839, in Fallowfield township, Washington Co., Penn., and was reared to agricultural pursuits in Allen township, where he attended the public schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry serving until the close of the war. On October 20, 1869, he married Hannah J., daughter of Allen Bowlen. The latter was a son of Nelson Bowlen, a farmer, whose parents were natives of Ireland and came to America in an early day. Nelson Bowlen was married to Mary Coalbank, who bore him six children, namely Bailey, William, Allen, Eliza, Mary Jane and Elizabeth. The father served in the war of 1812; in politics he voted with the Whig party and in religions faith he was a member of the Disciple Church.
Allen Bowlen (deceased), son of Nelson and Mary Bowlen, was born in 1822, in West Virginia, and there learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for several years. He was twice married, first to Anna Hugh and their children were Hannah (wife of Lewis F. McCrory), Sarah (married to Samuel Artis), Isaac, Mary E., Margaret and James, all except Hannah being now deceased.
For his second wife Allen Bowlen was married to Susan McCarty, who bore him children as follows: Minerva (deceased), Nelson (deceased), Keziah (deceased), Samuel, May, Michael and William. Mr. Bowlen was formerly a Democrat, and afterward united with the Republican party, and in religion he was a member of the M. E. Church, in which he served as steward and trustee.
Lewis F. and Hannah J. (Bowlen) McCrory resided in Washington county, Penn., for some years after their marriage, then moved to a farm in Fayette county, finally returning to Allen township, this county. Mr. McCrory was identified with the Republicans, but since the organization of the Prohibition party has been an enthusiastic advocate of the principles embodied in their platform. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Text taken from page 1307 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]